Overall, has NAFTA been good or bad?

I understand that there are some serious sovereignty problems, environmental and worker rights provisions, etc. but hasn't NAFTA(and other similar agreements) helped the U.S. economy through free trade?

Free trade is based on David Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage, and for his theory to be valid, the factors of production (including labour and capital), have to be as mobile as the goods being produced.

However, since the end of the Cold War, with previously vast unproductive labour pools in India and China being freed up, and the rise of instantaneous global communications, financial transactions and the Internet -- labour and capital are now MORE mobile than the goods being produced.

But it seems that most economists don't know about the breakdown of the conditions that justified free trade, or they don't care.

“If you love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” - Samuel Adams

One cannot impose regulations on one's own industry and allow trade with countries unfettered by these same regulations. This is NAFTA, CAFTA and every 'Free-Trade' agreement allowed by our government.

Theye have refused their Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

Theye have erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

Theye kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies

Theye have combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution,

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

Theye plundered and destroyed the lives of our people.

Theye are at this time transporting Armies of Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of a civilized nation.

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One cannot impose regulations on one's own industry and allow trade with countries unfettered by these same regulations. This is NAFTA, CAFTA and every 'Free-Trade' agreement allowed by our government.

I don't agree with free trade but if you do put in a free trade system you NEED ultra low taxes to be competitive.
Frothy Santorum is right , costs for manufacturers in USA are way too high , shame he's a total loon on almost every other policy.0% tax on manufacturing cos that make their stuff locally would be a great idea.